Tourists return to Kashmir; Gulmarg hotels packed

Tourism marked a turnaround in Kashmir Valley with hospitality managers reporting over 80% occupancy on New Year’s day on Wednesday. With domestic and foreign tourists joined by Kashmiris making a beeline to the ski resorts at Gulmarg in North Kashmir, hopes of the revival of the hotel sector, which has stagnated since August when the special status was abrogated, looked bright. The Himalayan slopes at Gulmarg are laden with snow, attracting travellers and locals alike and all local hotels reported advance bookings for new year.